5 Best Air Rifle for Squirrels & Small Game – Which One Should You Get?

Do you need to get rid of a few pesky squirrels and maybe do a little small game hunting? Does the cost of ammo for getting rid of pests or the extended range of higher powered firearms concern you? An air rifle for squirrels and small game might be the perfect answer for meeting your concerns.

You will find a hard time doing better than the Bear River TPR 1200 when it comes to hunting squirrels and small game.

This gun has the necessary speed and force to make a clean kill, but is a lower caliber so it extends range as well. It has a single magnification scope, which is all that is necessary for close range hunting.

Take a closer look at this and four other air guns for squirrels and small game in our review below, but before you do that consider some tips on how to choose the perfect air rifle for squirrels and small game.

How to Choose the Right Model

Pin-point accuracy and kill force on an air rifle make it a good choice for tending to squirrels, other pests and even small game. What it avoids is the attention attracting sounds that a more highly powered gun has as well as the problems that extended range can cause. Below are the factors involved in choosing the top air gun for squirrels and small game.

What are the Range Limits?

Range and killing force varies from one model of air gun to the next, but there are some general range guidelines for the four classifications of air guns:

• Light. Used for plinking and pest control.• Medium. A little more kill force and a range of 30 to 50 yards are typical for this class.• Magnum (high). A greater range of 50 to 70 yards is typical with this class of air rifle.• Super magnum. Specialty air guns in this class reach the maximum ranges of 75 to 85 yards.

If you are serious about hunting small game and might need a little extra distance in order to reach the cleverest squirrels, anything less than a medium class air gun will be pretty limited. An even better choice is going to be in the magnum class, especially if you intend to extend your use of the air gun beyond getting rid of squirrels. Continue reading for additional elements involved in choosing the right air rifle for squirrels and small game.

Calibers

SIghts and scopes

sensitivity

finish

Calibers

Projectile size and weight influence both the kill force of the projectile as well as speed and range. Heavier or larger caliber projectiles provide more killing force, but speed is slower and effective range will be less. However, lighter calibers have greater speed and their range is greater, but there is a reduction of kill force. Projectile sizes or calibers are typically 0.177, 0.22 and 0.25 inches in diameter and all three are effective at tending to those pesky squirrels.

Open Sights and Scopes

Given the fact that air rifles are not effective beyond the range of 85 yards and most are lose a great deal of accuracy beyond 70 yards, open sights work fine and can reduce the cost of purchasing a quality air gun. If you insist on a scope, then it is better to choose an air gun with a scope that has a fixed magnification of 4x32 or less. Higher powered magnification and variable magnification scopes will not only raise the amount of cash you will have to invest into your air gun but tend to blur the target, make you less accurate, and require constant adjustment.

Trigger Sensitivity

Another characteristic to look for in a quality air gun is trigger sensitivity. If a trigger requires a heavier pull, the shooter tends to pull off of the target slightly when firing, but a trigger which is too sensitive might cause the shooter to fire before he is ready. The capacity to adjust trigger sensitivity is available on air guns of higher quality and an important factor to keep in mind.

finish

The majority of modern air guns have a molded synthetic stock. These types of stocks tend to be lighter, more durable, and provide better balance for an air rifle. Though finish is more subjective and only effects performance slightly, the quality of the finishes of an air gun can shed light on the quality and craftsmanship built into the weapon.

Your budget and personal preferences will guide you toward your ultimate decision to purchase one model over another. By making use of the factors listed above, you can take a closer look at the reviews below in order to help you choose the model perfectly suited for your needs and preferences.

5 Best Air Rifles for Hunting Small Game

PROS

Durable, high quality synthetic stock with pistol grip.

Scope mounting and fixed magnification scope is top notch.

Budget priced, multi-purpose firearm.

2-stage adjustable trigger

Decent range and velocity.

CONS

If you want to hunt larger small game, the 0.177 caliber is a little too light.

CONS

Ruger Magnum Combo

A trusted name in firearms manufacturing is behind the high quality design of this air rifle. The Ruger Magnum Combo also features a lightweight, synthetic stock, has a 2-stage adjustable trigger. It has breaking barrel single shot cocking and a mounted fixed magnification scope.

Specs:

• Caliber: 0.22• Speed: 1200 fps• Site: 4×32 scope

Pest control and small game are both possibilities with this air gun. Because it has a higher caliber, you get a little bit more kill force from the Ruger. It is a well-balanced gun which is not overpriced because of the fixed magnification mounted scope. The 0.22 caliber projectile is more than adequate for squirrels and it doesn’t give away too much when it comes to speed and range.

PROS

Either caliber choice has sufficient range and kill force.

Solid synthetic, ergonomic stock with pistol grip

It includes a 5 year warranty.

2-stage adjustable trigger.

CONS

You might have a hard time justifying paying twice to three times as much for this firearm.

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Variable magnification scopes need more adjustment and add bulk.

Gammo Magnum

The IGT Mach 1 gas piston used to fire projectiles from this rifle makes the Gammo Magnum another well designed firearm to keep in mind. It features two different caliber options and 2-stage trigger adjustment.

The all-weather synthetic stock also features a pistol grip for greater control and accuracy. Finishing out its list of features are a rifled steel barrel, a variable magnification scope and a 5 year warranty.

There are so many things to like about this gun. It is covered by a great warranty. It has a durable synthetic stock with a pistol grip, you can choose which caliber you prefer as well.

What keep this from being the top pick on this list is the variable scope, which is not only a pain to keep adjusted properly and is unnecessary for the limited range of an air gun, but also drives up the price of this model.

You can buy both of the two guns above for the same price as you pay for this one.

PROS

Hardwood stock designed with pistol grip.

Quiet and smooth firing action.

Fixed magnification scope.

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The velocity and range on the 0.177 option is decent.

2-stage adjustable trigger.

CONS

Only the 0.177 caliber option will provide the necessary velocity and range you need.

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Paying more for the hardwood stock.

Benjamin Titan GP Nitro Piston

The Benjamin Titan GP Nitro Piston allows you to have some of those extra features you are looking for in an air rifle and a more traditional, hardwood and ambidextrous stock with a pistol grip to boot.

It is quieter than most models, has a durable, smooth cocking and firing action and features a 2-stage adjustable trigger as well as a fixed magnification scope.

The quiet and smooth nitro piston might come in handy when it comes to tending to squirrels and other pests, but the velocity of the 0.22 caliber option raises some range concerns. Sticking to the 0.177 caliber might be the better option.

It is difficult to pass up the impressive looking hardwood design of this firearm, which gives you a little more traditional look, but you will have to pay for that design extra, which might also add unnecessary weight to the unit.

OUR TOP CHOICE

Bear River TPR 1200

When it comes to being able to deal with pests like squirrels and other small game, you need something which has accuracy, kill force and is effective up to a decent range. Based on our guidelines for selecting the top air rifle for squirrels and small game, the Bear River TPR 1200 is our top choice.

The Bear River TPR 1200 has plenty of power and range to tend to pests. Though it might not be as good for larger small game, it is still going to do what you need it to. The pistol grip feature on the durable synthetic stock adds to its accuracy and feel. Its fixed magnification scope is adequate for its range and does not through off the balance of the firearm. Most of all, it is moderately priced given its list of valuable features.

If you are concerned about noise and safety from higher powered firearms and just need something to tend to those pesky squirrels and other pests around the house, then an air gun is probably the right choice. Purchase the model we suggested or select another which has the features you prefer.

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